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Nelson could potentially grab the chair of the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, now held by Rockefeller.

"Sen. Nelson is sorry to see his good friend Sen. Rockefeller retire," Nelson spokesman Dan McLaughlin said. "It’s really a little early to talk about future leadership on the Commerce Committee, except to say Sen. Nelson has long been a consumer advocate going back to his time as Florida’s insurance commissioner. And he’d be honored should circumstances ever allow his chairing that committee."

Democrats would have to maintain control of the chamber and Rockefeller's exit gives a little more hope to the GOP.

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